Sunday, November 15, 2015

Jesus said to his disciples: “In those days after that
tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and
the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in heaven will be
shaken.

And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds’
with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather his
elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky”

—Mark 13:24-27

Speculation and anxiety about the end of time and of the
world is neither new nor unusual. For centuries, seers and sages and mystical
texts—like Nostradamus and the prophecies attributed to St. Malachy—have been
making dire predictions about the future. Science, too, has contributed to
public anxiety by citing a series of possible scenarios in which the world (at
least as we know it) could come to an end through climate change, collision
with another celestial body, and even because of the cooling of the sun.

While these grim statistics and “prophecies” can instill a
sense of dread in any heart, the Church has consistently placed her focus
elsewhere: as we look forward to the coming of Christ at the end of time, we
should entrust the unknown and unknowable future to God’s care.

We can’t waste our energies on idle speculation about the
future. After all, Jesus himself reminds us that “of that day or hour, no one
knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mark
13:32). And so, St. Mark’s vision of the Son of Man “coming in the clouds with
great power and glory” (v. 26) can be understood as the climax of the Paschal
Mystery: seated at God’s right hand, his work is complete, and he now waits to
welcome all who will follow him
through death to life (cf. Hebrews 10:12-14).

Jesus has conquered sin and death and this Sunday’s Readings—with
their vision of the glorified, all-powerful Son of Man—should be a source of
hope as we continue to confront the trials and challenges of life; our prayers
this Sunday should also include those Christians who are facing the very harsh
reality of persecution because of their faith in Jesus.

Christ in Majesty by John Piper
in St. John's Hospital, Lichfield, England

While the prospect of the “end of the world” might be a
source of dread for some, we would do well to remember that as Christians we
should always be oriented towards the future. While Jesus does foresee a
passing away of the old, created world, he also announces the awakening of
something new—just like the new growth on the fig tree after a long, harsh
winter. This new creation is the reign of God and it is a reality of light, not
darkness; life, not death; peace and love, not destruction and want. In the
end, the message for us this Sunday is a simple reminder: when the world around
us seems to be falling apart, Jesus is breaking in: “He is coming who is everywhere
present and pervades all things; he is coming to achieve in you his work of
universal salvation. He is coming who came to call to repentance not the
righteous but sinners, coming to recall those who have strayed into sin. Do not
be afraid, then: God is in the midst of
you, and you shall not be shaken” (Saint Andrew of Crete).

Saturday, November 7, 2015

This Sunday we hear the story of the "generous widow." While we most often focus on the widow's generous spirit, this story is really a lesson in discipleship.

"Ultimately, this story of the “widow’s mite” isn’t about the size or amount of the gift. Instead, Jesus is reminding us that his disciples will be known not by what they give away or give up but by how they give over all that they are to God and to those around them, simply because they love."

To read the full reflection, click here.
On a personal note, I want to offer a word of thanks for the prayers and good wishes I have received since sharing my news of being accepted as a candidate for the Society of the Divine Savior (the Salvatorians). To read my original posting, click here.

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Some of you who have been following this blog for a while will remember that I was Benedictine monk for nearly eleven years and, after a long and careful period of discernment, I decided to seek a dispensation from my monastic vows. This was certainly a difficult decision, but those events in 2013 were not the end of the story...

Late last year I began to actively discern the possibility of returning to religious life. Early this year I contacted a handful of religious communities, including the Society of the Divine Savior (the Salvatorians). Those conversations and my discernment have continued and the past months have been a time of challenge, opportunity, reflection, and blessings.

With all of this in mind, I am happy and humbled to announce that I have been accepted as a candidate for the Salvatorians and will enter formation in January.

I am especially grateful to so many people who have supported my ongoing reflection and discernment, particularly dear friends in Los Angeles and in Louisville, my former Benedictine confreres, and the Salvatorian vocations and formation team.

Although I will be in formation in Milwaukee, I will be able to continue my work as managing editor of Abbey Press Publications and Deacon Digest Magazine, as well as my work as a writer and catechist. The Society of the Divine Savior was founded by Venerable Francis Jordan on December 8, 1881, and is an active and diverse community whose mission is to spread the Gospel by "all ways and means." Salvatorian priests, deacons, brothers, sisters, and lay women and men currently serve in nearly 40 countries.

As I think about what the coming months will bring, especially the changes in my personal and professional life, I find myself feeling many emotions, including excitement and fear, joy and sorrow. The coming weeks will, no doubt, also be a whirlwind of activity (including the holidays!), and I ask for your prayers and support as I anticipate officially beginning this new chapter in my life.

About Me

I am a member of the Society of the Divine Savior (the Salvatorians) and currently serve on the staff of the Milwaukee Catholic Herald and as a regular contributor to Aleteia.org. In addition to my work as a writer and editor, I am also a retreat leader and presenter who is passionate about adult faith formation and am available to lead retreats, classes, and times of reflection for parish groups and others (in both Catholic and non-Catholic parishes and faith communities).

If you are interested in arranging a time of reflection or presentation for your parish, religious community, or prayer group, please contact me at SilasSHenderson(at)gmail(dot)com.